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EXHIBITION

VIENNA AND NEW YORK: 175 YEARS OF TWO PHILHARMONICS

THURSDAY FEB 23 - FRIDAY MAR 10

VIENNA AND NEW YORK:175 YEARS OF TWO PHILHARMONICSFEBRUARY 23 - MARCH 10, 2017 Austrian Cultural Forum New York, 11th Floor11 East 52nd Street, New York

OPENING HOURSMonday to Friday, 11 AM to 6 PM, closed on weekends

Together with the New York Philharmonic and the Vienna Philharmonic, the ACFNY is pleased to present an unprecedented joint exhibit of archival material from throughout the venerable orchestras’ histories, on occasion of both orchestras celebrating their 175th anniversaries this season.

Among the many treasures to be featured are documents written at the founding of each orchestra, including a call for musicians written by conductor-composer Otto Nicolai, founder of the Vienna Philharmonic, and the New York Philharmonic’s “Constitution of the Philharmonic Society of New York,” the formal document establishing the Orchestra’s operating principles. Other items include historic conducting scores, programs, photographs from performances and tours, and letters from composers and conductors who played significant roles in the orchestras’ histories.

“It has been 25 years since the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra has organized an exhibition of such importance and size in New York, and many items from the orchestra’s history will be shown to the public for the first time during this exhibit. We are delighted to collaborate with the New York Philharmonic Archives and premiere this joint exhibition, first in New York with the assistance of the Austrian Cultural Forum New York and then in Vienna. The exhibition will offer a unique look at two of the world's most widely recognized orchestras from two different cultural and historical perspectives.” -- Andreas Großbauer, Chairman of the Vienna Philharmonic

“It is remarkable that these two great orchestras are both celebrating their 175th anniversaries, and I can think of no better way to commemorate this unique moment in the history of symphonic orchestras than with this important exhibit. We look forward to having New Yorkers learn more about the legacies of these two venerable yet innovative institutions at the Austrian Cultural Forum New York."-- Matthew VanBesien, President of the New York Philharmonic.

After its run in NYC, the exhibit will travel to Vienna, where it will open at Haus der Musik on the Vienna Philharmonic's 175th birthday on March 28.

In the framework of the exhibit on the 11th floor, a sculpture by Swiss-Austrian artist Nives Widauer, whose work is currently on display in the main gallery at the ACFNY, will be on view from Feb 22-26, constructed from the musicians' instrument cases.

ABOUT THE ORCHESTRASFounded in 1842 by local musicians led by American-born Ureli Corelli Hill, the New York Philharmonic is the oldest symphony orchestra in the United States, and one of the oldest in the world. The New York Philharmonic plays a leading cultural role in New York City, the United States, and the world. This season the Philharmonic will connect with up to 50 million music lovers through live concerts in New York City and on its worldwide tours and residencies; digital recording series; international broadcasts on television, radio, and online; and as a resource through its varied education programs and the New York Philharmonic Leon Levy Digital Archives.

There is perhaps no other musical ensemble more closely associated with the history and tradition of European classical music than the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Over the course of its 175 year history, the musicians of this most prominent orchestra of the capital city of music, have been an integral part of a musical epoch that – thanks to an abundance of uniquely gifted composers and interpreters – is regarded as truly unique. The orchestra's close association with this rich musical history is best illustrated by statements of countless pre-eminent musical personalities of the past. Richard Wagner described the orchestra as one of the most outstanding in the world; Anton Bruckner called it "the most superior musical association;" Johannes Brahms counted himself as a "friend and admirer;" Gustav Mahler claimed to be joined with the orchestra through "the bonds of musical art;" and Richard Strauss said, "All praise of the Vienna Philharmonic reveals itself as understatement."